The Royal Challengers Bangalore have been IPL’s perennial bridesmaids. They have made it to the finals three times but are yet to get their hands on the trophy. The last two seasons were quite promising but they failed at the eliminators both times. Virat Kohli resigned from captaincy post the completion of the IPL 2021 season. He took charge as a full-time leader in 2013 but couldn’t lead the side to a championship win. Will RCB find perfect team in auction?
Will RCB find perfect team in auction?
What do RCB have ahead of the auctions?
RCB finally seems to have had a settled unit in the last couple of seasons. Under Mike Hesson, RCB have brought consistency in their ranks. They seem to trust their players more in recent times. This thought process has brought out encouraging results. RCB looked like a complete outfit in 2020 and 2021.
It was largely owing to their Indian core coming together. The induction of Devdutt Padikkal helped RCB immensely. Mohammad Siraj grew leaps and bounds as a T20 bowler. These two players made the Indian contingent look strong.
Will RCB find perfect team in auction?
The evolution of their Indian core:
Yuzvendra Chahal and Virat Kohli were the only two Indian forces in the side. But the trade-off for Harshal Patel paid off handsomely this season. He ended up winning the purple cap scalping 32 wickets. Patel equalled Dwayne Bravo’s league record.
Washington Sundar’s silent skills were there for everyone to see. Equally promising was Srikar Bharat’s growth as a dependable keeper-batsman. RCB will be keen to buy back most of these players if not everybody. Their Indian core if bought back looks solid. It is a fine combination of experienced and young talents.
What will RCB be seeking in the mega auctions?
RCB retained three of its players ahead of the mega auctions. Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammad Siraj are the three players that the side has retained. Kohli and Maxwell will form the batting core with Siraj taking charge of the bowling.
RCB will be keen to add some arsenal to their lower middle-order. It is one area where the side has struggled. They need to address it especially now with the exit of AB de Villiers. RCB will need quality overseas bowling options in their ranks. Maxwell is a maverick, Kohli is a master, they need 2-3 players around them who could drive the team ahead.
The biggest catch for RCB:
Critics of RCB have always questioned the leadership group of the squad. The team more often than not revolved around a couple of superstars. RCB for most years in the IPL never really looked like a side that contends for the title. But a significant change in that direction has been made in the last couple of years.
RCB will be eager to acquire a strong leader in the auctions. A leader who can galvanise the side and bring them crowning glory. The road to the top starts with making the right choices in the auctions, a place where RCB have never really excelled. But 2022 might just be the start of something special!
